Uni research deals under the microscope

A decision by the Southern Cross University not to take part in an ethics survey is being described as disturbing.

University of Sydney researchers looked into the disclosure policies for 39 Australian universities which received commercial funding.

Team leader, Professor Ian Kerridge, says the policies of most universities are inadequate and they need to be more transparent about their commercial backers.

But he says Southern Cross University's choice not to respond to the survey is bizarre.

"We were disturbed by that," Prof Kerridge said.

"Now this is a request written not to the media office of all of the universities, but to the vice chancellors of all of the universities.

"What we can't say is those that didn't respond had something to hide, but I think what we can say is why on Earth would you not participate in a piece of research that is going out to all of the universities?

"It doesn't take that long, it's an important question.

"It's about the maintenance of public trust, so I suppose my estimation is that it is a bizarre and if you want irrational response of universities to not participate either because they chose not to or they just declined to respond to any inquiries.

"I can't understand why they wouldn't take the time to do that," he said.

The Southern Cross University is defending its decision not to take part in the survey.

The acting vice chancellor at Southern Cross, Bill McGillivray, says the university has a central register for potential conflicts of interest.

"It is actually part of our enterprise agreement that academic staff have to disclose the limits of their research in making any public comment and staff, before they enter into a contract, have to register that contract and have that agreement vetted by our legal office," he said.

"When there's private funding there can be commercial-in-confidence aspects to it so no, the register's not open to members of the public.

"But members of the public can't access the registers of companies like BHP-Biliton in terms of their contracts either.

"There has to be an element of commercial in confidence around contacts signed with commercial companies and private industry," Mr McGillivray said.